Machine for rolling and setting leather



19% c. R. sums MACHINE FOR ROLLING AND SETTING LEATHER 2 Shecs-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1947 f q INVENTOR. 25; (#47255 SIMS,

ATTORNEYS Feb. 7, 195@ c. R. SIMS 2,496,418

MACHINE FOR ROLLING AND SETTING LEATHER Filed Oct. 24, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l V's fi i g/ INVENTOR.

Fig.4; 61/465158 S/MS.

ATTQRNEY$ latented Feb. 7, 1950 UNIT ED S TATES PT F Fl CE.

2,496,418" MACHINE FOR ROLLING AND SETTING LEATHER Charles R. Sims, Cincinnati, Ohio, assigno'r to The American Oak. Leather Company, Cincinnati Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application 0ctober24, 1947, Serial No. 781,934

(Cl. Ell -45) 4 Claims. 1

My invention relates tomachines for rolling and setting leather and particularly to improved spring board operating mechanism for such machines.

For many years the rolling and setting of leather has been carried out by amanually controlled machine in which the operator holds the edges of a leather piece to be rolled and set on a table which is elevated by a foot treadle the movement of which is determined by the weight of the operator. The leather piece extended flatwise on a bed plate is engaged by a ball or roller carried by a rccki ng'beam which swings back and forth in a predetermined area over the table and plate. With each sweep of the arc'of the rocking beam, the roller or ball engages the upper surface of the leather piece and rolls across it thereby giving it a desired finish andset.

Tension is provided by a spring board which forms part of a table which is raised and lowered by means of a foot treadle. The spring board is secured loosely at its ends and the flexing of the middle of the board causes a limited up and down movement. The operator pushes down and releases the foot treadle and the bed plate carried by the spring board is elevated, while the roller is carried back and forth across by the oscillations of the rocking beam. the roller is at one end of the stroke and is at restfor a brief instant, the operator moves or slightly rotates the piece on a pivotrepre'sented by a point at which the roller is at'rest. Then the roller or balltraverses a different area of the piece on its return sweep. When the roller is at the other end of its stroke, the operator moves or slightly rotates the piece again on a pivot representedby the rest point at that end of the stroke of the roller. Thus by an alternate twisting 01f the piece first with one hand and their the other, the entire area of the piece is finally traversed and rolled by the roller.

The operation is one requiring not only great manual dexterity on the part of the operator, but a constant strain due to pressing down on" the foot treadle to secure such: tension as can be accomplished in this way by thus elevating. the table carrying the bed plate and the leather piece into contact with the ball as it oscillates back and forth.

The: necessity for rolling. and setting leather is that the previous treatments of the hide and the piece into which it is cut, leaves the leather with the grain side covered with little cavities or hair follicles. Further the fat of the animal from which the hide comes causes what are called fat wrinkles. The purpose of rolling and setting? the leather is to closeup the follicles, smooth out the wrinkles andcontract the hide so' that it wili have a substantially uniform firmness. This effect cannot be accomplished by a straight downward pressure applied to different areas of the leather piece, it is only when the compression is accomplished by a rolling; movement; that the various objects are accomplished.

Prior to my invention, the mechanisms use depend primarily on the slrill' of the operator in manually moving theleather piece over the table. and in applying his weight tothe foot treadleto elevate the table, require exhaustive labor, and there is constant danger th'atthe piece will slip and: that the hand: of the operator wilt be crushed under the ball. Further with a root treadle: determining the position of the" spring board and bed: plate; a sudden doublingover of an endof a leather piece causes a violent upward thrust oiv the foot treadie which is liable tocause injury to the operator in various ways,

It is the object of. my invention to'pneumatically control the elevation of the table: at predetermined pressureswith aquickair release to greatly reduce.- the labor involved and to more perfectly roll and. set the leather. This is because the operator, since no throwing of' his weight on a foot treadleis required to cause good rolling, can concentrate more effectively on the'mhvem'ent of. the leather on the table. The quick release enables the operator to avoid: crushing the: edges of the leather piece. The: ball must tell across' the edge under pressure but return not under pressure and the arrangement proposed overcomes this difficulty more quickly than an operator can accomplish it withv a foot tread lerelease.

It is an object-of my invention further not only to facilitate the operation of the machine, but to make it possible for the operator togreatly increase the amount of pressure of the ball against the: upper surface oi the leather. With a foot treadlethe weight of the operator'andthe linkage determines the upward pressure which the operator can contain. Withthe pneumatic controi and various adjustments to control: the application of pneumatic pressure, an easily regulatable uniform and satisfactory working. pressure can be obtained irrespective of the thickness of the leather.- With a foot treadle varying thicknesses of leather do not receive the samerolling pressure since the pressure is dependent upon the adjustment-oi the machine and the thickness of the leather.-

The foregoing objects and other objects to which reference will be made in the ensuing disclosure, I accomplish by that certain combination and arrangement of parts of which I have shown a preferred embodiment.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a leather rolling and setting machine equipped with a preferred arrangement of pneumatic controls.

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the lines 2-2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a detail of the apparatus by means of which the operator raises and lowers the table.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic layout showing a preferred arrangement of pneumatic valves.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, a table I having upright supports 2, is provided with a pressure table 3, the pressure table in the illustration shown is composed of side boards 3a and a spring board 4. This center support or spring board 4 carries a contoured bronze bed plate 4a and is elevated by movement of the center of the spring board to carry the piece of leather into contact with the ball 5 on the pendulum arm 6. The arm 6 is oscillated back and forth by means of a connecting rod 1, and a crank 8 on the shaft 9, which carries a pulley I0, rotated by a belt I The pendulum 6 is pivoted in the bearing l2, firmly secured to the overhead support.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be obvious that the leather piece to be rolled and set is placed on the bronze bed plate 4a, the spring board 4' carrying the bed plate 4a is elevated by the upright members 51 and 58, and the ball 5 carried by the pendulum oscillates back and forth frictionally bearing against the upper surface of the leather.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated a preferred pneumatic control which consists of a pressure control valve, the casing of which is generally indicated at l3, and a foot treadle I4 which the operator depresses when he wishes to produce upward pressure on the spring board of the table.

In the diagram, I5 indicates a source of supply of compressed fluid such as compressed air, connecting as indicated at IS, with a chamber in the base of the pressure control valve. The downward movement of the treadle controls the pressure of the air which is released from the pressure tank to the relay valve.

In the pressure control valve there is a diaphragm dividing the valve into two chambers 6| and 62. The diaphragm is mounted on a shaft l8 having a longitudinal passageway 63 therein, said longitudinal passageway being open at the end 64. In the lower chamber 62 of the control valve, I provide a valve arrangement consisting of two balls 2| and 23 joined together by a shaft 65. A conical coil spring 22 is based against the bottom portion of the chamber 62 and holds ball 23 against the inlet valve seat 24 and ball 2| against the open end 64 of the passageway 63, thus closing the latter. In the upper chamber 6 I, there is a coil spring l9 surrounding the shaft I8 and bearing against the diaphragm II. There is also an exhaust aperture 56 in the wall of the upper chamber 8|. When the treadle I4 is depressed, the cap 20 depresses the spring l9, deforms the diaphragm forcing the shaft I8 together with the ball 2| downwardly against the spring 22 and unseats the ball 23 from the inlet valve seat 24, and pneumatic pressure dependent upon the degree of movement of the treadle flows from the pipe l6 up through the chamber 62 and out the delivery line 25. As soon as the air from the pipe l6 enters the chamber 62, it not only passes out through the outlet pipe 25, but also presses upon the lower side of the diaphragm l1. If the pressure is sufficiently great and the springs l9 and 22 are correctly balanced, the pressure will elevate the diaphragm l1, and hence the shaft l8, causing the ball 23 to again seat and close off additional pressure from the pipe IS. The pressure in the line 25, will, however, be maintained.

If it is desired to decrease the pressure in the line 25 and the chamber 21 and hence in the entire system, the operator has only to let up on the treadle I4. This reduces the tension on the spring l9 and hence destroys the balance between the spring l9 and the pressure on the lower side of the diaphragm IT. The diaphragm is forced upwardly thereby uncovering the open end 64 of the passageway 63, thereby exhausting the lower chamber 62 through the passageway and an aperture in the left side thereof communicating with the upper chamber 6|. The upper chamber is exhausted through the aperture 66 in the wall of the upper chamber. When the lower chamber 62 is exhausted to the point that the tension of the spring l9 again overcomes the pressure in the lower chamber, the diaphragm will be forced downwardly and the passageway 59 again closed by the ball 2|.

Passing from the pressure control valve generally indicated at l3, the compressed air passes through the pipe 25 into the relay valve generally indicated at 26. There is a chamber 21 in the upper part of the valve 26 and a diaphragm 28 which, when air enters through the pipe 25, and presses down against the diaphragm, causes the diaphragm 28 to be distorted downwardly.

There is a rod 29 mounted on the diaphragm 28 and having a cone valve 3|] slidably mounted thereon. The cone valve 30 is held against its seat by means of a coil spring 3| and may be opened upon the depression of the rod 29 since there is a shoulder 29a abutting the upper rim of the cone valve 30. When diaphragm 28 is depressed by the air coming through pipe 25, cone valve 3!] is opened permitting compressed air to flow through the inlet port 32 and out through the exhaust port 33. If the pressure in either of these lines becomes sufiiciently great to overcome the pressure in chamber 21, the diaphragm 28 will move upwardly closing the cone valve 30 and upon continued movement will lift a disc 34' mounted under the diaphragm 28 to an extent where the exhaust or relief port 35 is opened. The disc 34 normally seals the relief port at 35.

Pressure from the outlet port 33 passes through pipe 36 where it is divided and flows through the pipes 3'! and 38 to quick release valves 39 and 40.

The quick release valves 39 and 40 have flexible pistons 4| and 42, the outer periphery of which are tensioned against the seats 39a and 40a by springs 43 and 44. A projection or plug Ma and 42a seat against the opening of exhaust apertures 61 and 68.

When the air pressure comes through the pipes 31 and 38, the outer periphery of the flexible pistons 4| and 42 is deformed downwardly permitting the compressed air to pass through ports 42 and 46 to the diaphragm valves or pressure chambers 41 and 4'8. If the pressure in the pipes to the diaphragm chambers 41 and 48 becomes relatively sufficiently great, the flexible pistons 4| and 42 are deformed upwardly unseating the plug portions 4m. and 42a, and exhausting the line through the exhaust apertures 61 and 58.

With this arrangement, sudden pressure exerted on the uprights 5| and 52 creates sufllcient pressure in the lines to the chambers 41 and 48 to deform the pistons 41 and 42 sufficiently to exhaust this pressure through the exhaust ports 61 and 68. This permits a quick release without the air having to back up through the entire system and is of great importance as it permits the operator to relieve the pressure of the ball 5 during the short interval between the time the ball moves out over the edge of the leather piece and the time it returns. Going out, the ball is pressed down on the leather. Coming back, if the ball was under pressure the edge of the leather piece will be struck, and if there is no provision for a quick release of pressure, the ball is likely to throw the whole piece being treated out of the machine.

In the pressure chambers there are diaphragms 49, 50, mounted on rods 5 I, 52, which carry swivel yokes 53, 54.

Compressed air enters through the ports 55, 56, and presses up against the diaphragms 49, 50, thereby elevating the rods 5!, 52 and the yoke members 53, 54.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be observed that the upright members 57, 58 which carry the ends of the spring board 4 are coupled to levers 59, 60, so that elevation of the left hand ends of the levers as illustrated in Figure 3, will cause the uprights 51, 58 to be raised thereby bringing the piece of leather into a condition of desired frictional engagement with the ball 5.

It should be understood that controlling the degree of pressure as is done by my preferred control system, the pressure produced by elevating the leather piece into contact with the ball is substantially independent of the thickness of the leather piece which results in much more uniform rolling and setting than has heretofore been possible.

The possibility of applying a desired pressure to raise and lower the spring board carrying the work into contact with the roller or ball during its oscillation, is controlled to such a nicety that after the operator becomes familiar with the machine practically no energy is required at all to control the raising and lowering of the table.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for rolling and setting leather in combination with a roller rotatable on a horizontal axis and mechanical means for oscillating said rotatable roller in an arcuate concave path, an arcuate plate for supporting a leather piece in the arcuate path of movement of the roller and pneumatic means for elevating said arcuate plate to produce a controlled degree or pressure between said roller in its oscillating path and a piece of leather supported on said plate.

2. In a machine for rolling and setting leather in combination 'with a roller rotatable on a horizontal axis and mechanical means for oscillating said rotatable roller in an arcuate concave path,

an arcuate plate for supporting a leather piece in the arcuate path of movement of the roller and pneumatic means for elevating said arcuate plate to produce a controlled degree of pressure between said roller in its oscillating path and a piece of leather supported on said plate, said means comprising a treadle operated pressure" control valve, a relay valve the degree of pressure in which is controlled by the pressure control valve, quick release valves the degree of pressure in which is controlled by the pressure in the relay valve and pressure chambers responsive to the degree of pressure induced in the quick release valves.

3. In a machine for rolling and setting leather in combination with a roller rotatable on a horizontal axis and mechanical means for oscillating said rotatable roller in an arcuate concave path, an arcuate plate for supporting a leather piece in the arcuate path of movement of the roller and pneumatic means for elevating said arcuate plate to produce a controlled degree of pressure between said roller in its oscillating path and a piece of leather supported on said plate, said means comprising a treadle operated pressure control valve, a supply of pneumatic compressed fluid and interconnecting means by which the treadle operated pressure control valve controls the pressure of the compressed fluid released from said supply for elevating said arcuate plate a distance because of which uniform rolling pressure will be efiected irrespective of variations in the thickness of the leather piece.

4. In a machine for rolling and setting leather in combination with a roller rotatable on a horizontal axis and mechanical means for oscillating said rotatable roller in an arcuate concave path,

- an arcuate plate for supporting a leather piece in the arcuate path of movement of the roller and pneumatic means for elevating said arcuate plate to produce a controlled degree of pressure between said roller in its oscillating path and a piece of leather supported on said plate, said means effective to roll leather pieces at a predetermined pressure irrespective of the thickness of the leather piece.

CHARLES R. SIMS.

No references cited. 

